Led by the Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment, ABWI is the largest Commonwealth-sponsored trade, investment, education and tourism mission ever undertaken to India, comprising around 450 business delegates. Nicola Watkinson, Australian Trade Commission's Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia, said this mission reinforces the message that Australia is keen to identify, strengthen and deepen relationships with India.
"Australia's healthcare and assisted living (also known as aged care) industries are known for world-leading technology, innovation, professional skills, and advanced research and development.
"This has Australian companies well positioned to share their expertise, provide products and services to countries trying to support their ageing population, namely the elderly and frail people requiring aged care and healthcare," said Ms Watkinson.
Patrick Kearins, Trade Commissioner and leader of the Health and Assisted Living delegation, said Australian organisations are keen to collaborate with Indian businesses to offer solutions to address industry concerns across many areas.
"The delegation is meeting with India's leading hospital and healthcare providers, developers of retirement communities and senior Government of India officials with responsibility for health with the objective of learning about India's broader health, aged care and assisted living priorities and to see where they might be able to contribute through partnerships," said Mr Kearins.
"Australia has one of the most established aged care sectors in the world, having evolved the current model over more than 50 years and can deliver multiple levels of care for seniors, their carers and families.
"The aged care system in Australia is one of the most thoroughly regulated in the world and is used as a model by many other countries," said Mr Kearins.
Senior health and living capabilities span services, products, leading-edge technologies, infrastructure, research and development (R&D), education and training in areas such as clinical neuroscience, cardiovascular conditions, oncology and assisted living. Dementia care in particular is emerging as a health priority.
"Australian businesses also offer wide-ranging capabilities in the design, construction, management and provision of support services to aged care facilities and retirement housing, which offer fully integrated healthcare facilities and services.
"This is complemented by an established medical device industry, with an internationally recognised capability to innovate and develop world-class products. This includes innovative and niche healthcare products, from the 'bionic ear' to continuous positive airway pressure
devices to treat sleep apnoea," said Mr Kearins.
The business delegation will be visiting New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. India is Australia's11th largest trading partner with two-way trade of A$15.2 billion and fifth largest export market, with total exports of A$11.4 billion. Total Indian investment in Australia is near A$11 billion (up from A$600 million in 2006), while total Australian investment in India is over A$6.5 billion.
